Final answer:
The experience requirement in utilitarianism refers to the necessity of using empirical evidence to support claims about the consequences of actions on human happiness. It draws from empiricism, the philosophy that knowledge stems from sensory experience, and applies to ethical evaluations where the right action is supposed to maximize happiness.
Step-by-step explanation:
When evaluating utilitarianism, the "experience requirement" is related to the need for empirical evidence to support utilitarian claims. Utilitarianism posits that what is right is whatever produces the most happiness or pleasure, but measuring happiness is not straightforward. Philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill have suggested that assessing actions based on their consequences can determine their moral worth. However, applying this in real-world scenarios, such as the potential creation of a national park, which might displace people while also preserving natural beauty, requires empirical evidence to determine the net effect on human happiness.
The experience requirement thus refers to the principle in empiricism that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. It implies that in utilitarian assessments, one must look for factual, observable outcomes rather than hypothetical or speculative ones. For instance, in evaluating clinical trials, researchers would apply utilitarian principles to balance the potential benefits of scientific advancement with the well-being of human subjects, requiring careful empirical analysis of outcomes.